Wichita eagle., 1887-02-24


Expense Of Wichita.
AS nine men out of ten concede that tn
EAGLES opinions and judgments touchin
Wichita have been universally correct an
sound, even to the addition craze" W
want again to say and if possible to impress
our people with the fact that wild specula
ton is not business nor conducive of
healthy growth or of permanency. Wher
men abandon legitimate trade to embark il
a craze of any character the end is not fal
of. No work, however well directed, nc
brain, however powerful or far see
ing, can avert the collapse which
must follow an overstrained imitation.
No city ever had brighter prospects if but
reason holds sway, but upon the other
hand no city was ever more surely threat
ened with burden that will crush and
ruin if men don't stand by their reason
and experience A word to the wise ought
to be sufficient, but if word is not enough
we are ready with columns night and day
which will have a tendency to convert
fancy foolishness back into corn fiells,
and ready as soon as the solid and conser
vative men in our midst shall say it is
enough and that they can no longer stand
it. 1t is said that the expected never hap
pens and that the unexpected is sure to
come to pass but abnormal conditions and
uncomfortable frcnzies are unsafe.
This state of affairs has been largely
brought about by men not interested in the
past or the future of Wichita There are
large number of men v no were bright and
Observant enough to see that here was
going TO be built the greatest city in Kansas
if not one of the greatest citys in the west
These men, who have Travelled about this
world much, or at least enough to enable
them to comprehend that here was place
of superior location, remarkable surround
iHgs, and glorious prospects, have and are
successful work of others, not caring for
consequences, further than for results in |
the shape of Immediate cash returns. So
wild and extravagant have they become
that some Of our own business men, who |
were prospering in the ordinary channels |
of trade, have lost their heads and are ready
for any folly.
The EAGLE can call a halt during the |
next few ensuing weeks, but the EAGLES
call might reach too far, and might do as
much harm in another direction as it |
would do good in this but the wise, scnsi-
bic, solid business men Of this city can
beat this game which threatens so much
trouble, simply by unitedly and unani-
mously discouraging the addition non
sense, and by impressing everybody with
its present foolishness and ultimate dan
ger. Make no bones of telling every new
C omer that money put in these far away
, editions is money thrown away.
Now, if such ventures as have been
foisted upon this community within the
asst few weeks, if these last addition crazes
should prove financially successful, not
only dozens but hundreds of other wild
at additions will be lad off and sold
IN der the pressure of the city's prosperity,
Until the accumulated load will crush us
beyond any hope of resurrection.
The EAGLE has held its peace-withheld
It's warning-about as long as it can.
& ither than to see the laborcrS and hopes I
# years utterly ruined and forever pros
rated we shall daily warn people against
throwing away their money. If this game,
is nothing but game, is kept going, not
,nly will all the old additions be rendered {
-alueless but the property of the city 1
proper and every interest which it is grow
ne and fostering will be pulled down ,
having never bought or sold lot in Wich =,
Ia nor otherwise speculated in town prop I
rty, but having labored to the best of o, t
United ability only for the upbilding and |
prosperity of our city and people as /,
whole We feel our judgment to be unbiased f,
Our conclusions sound. Call a halt. {
GREEN EYES. I
Wichita made a Tremendous ''fiZzle" of
her 3tierpt Ia entertain tbp Lori. lat;,-, 40 q